2019 Silverado Exterior Boasts Gurney Flap For Improved Aerodynamics

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Engineers and designers of the 2019 Silverado exterior implemented a host of improvements some owners will likely never even notice. But, it’s all for the greater good of refining the 2019 Silverado. One of those minor additions is the Gurney flap.

Also known as a wickerbill, a Gurney flap is a small tab that projects from the edge of a wing. It was made famous by famed racer Dan Gurney, who passed away this week. The simple addition helps improve aerodynamics, and in the case of the 2019 Silverado exterior, it contributed to a 7 percent improvement in the truck’s drag coefficient.

The Gurney flap is subtle, but also rugged enough to take a beating from any cargo that may lean on it or rub against it along the way.

The 2019 Silverado exterior lends itself to a leaner full-size pickup truck. The truck is now 450 pounds lighter altogether, yet it also offers greater cargo capacity in the bed than before; the short box offers 63 cubic feet of volume.

Chevy didn’t dish out all of the details at the debut of the 2019 Silverado 1500, which means we’re likely in for news in the coming months. Stay tuned.

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4 Comments

The Edward F Zaparka flap, was/is used for downforce and is in a vertical orientation with the slight reduction in drag being a beneficial side affect.
Zaparka’s patent was originally filed on April 1931. 10 days before one Daniel Sexton Gurney was born.

The addition of the Gurney flap by itself improved overall aerodynamics of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado by 7-percent and this is incredible as it makes you wonder whether Chevrolet could add this feature to replacement beds for older Silverado trucks or whether additional tweaks to the front splitter could also increase a bit more in aerodynamics.

Zaparka’s flap was vertical while the Gurney flap is horizontal. The Z flap disrupts air flow and creates down force. The G flap directs air flow and removes the turbulence associated with the sudden end of square body lines. Round body lines direct the air to flow smoothly around the rear of the vehicle.